Dine At Home During Circuit Breaker - Soi Aroy

One of the better meals I had during the circuit breaker period is Thai food from Soi Aroy. I am glad that even during this pandemic, I am still able to discover new restaurants that I didn't get to visit before the whole world goes into various lock down measures to fight against the pandemic.

Premium Tom Yum Soup with Thai Mama 

In my opinion, the best way to tell whether a restaurant is serving legit Thai food is from their tom yum soup. When I took a sip of the Premium Tom Yum Soup, it blew me away with its depth and bold flavours. You can choose to go along with some rice or add noodles to it. Customers will have a choice of egg noodles, brown rice bee hoon, Thai rice noodle or Thai Mama. I have gone for the Thai Mama as I like my maggie mee. 

Thai Collagen Porridge

Another dish that caught my attention is the Thai Collagen Porridge. The rice and ingredients come packed separately from the 12hr collagen base soup without MSG. It is very hearty and comforting. You can also request additional ingredients such as egg, vegetables, meat patty and more. 

Grilled Pork Cheek

Lemongrass Chicken

For some grilled stuff, they have Grilled Pork Neck and Lemongrass Chicken. The grilled pork has a delightful crunchy bite on top of its smokiness. The lemongrass chicken was tender with refreshing lemongrass aroma.

Thai Fish Cakes

Another popular item on their menu is the Thai Fish Cakes which goes excellently with the Thai sweet spicy sauce. 

Thai Seafood Fried Rice

As I mentioned earlier that I have not visited Soi Aroy at Sim Lim Square so I went online and try to find out more about the restaurant. I realized it is actually quite a small place located on level 2 of the mall. It amazes me that with such a constraint space, the restaurant was able to wok up so many varieties on their menu. Besides the dishes I mentioned earlier, they have many more cooked dishes such as Thai Seafood Fried Rice, Thai Basil Pork, Sambal Kang Kong with Squid and Sambal LaLa.

Thai Basil Pork

Sambal Kang Kong with Squid

Thai Basil Pork and Sambal Kang Kong with Squid is probably two of my most ordered items whether I visited a Thai restaurant. With a plate of fragrant steamed rice, it basically completes a meal. 

Sambal LaLa

Worth mentioning is their Sambal LaLa. Not only was the LaLa fresh and juicy, it like the layer of aroma from the Thai basil which just elevated the whole spicy affair.

Mango Sticky Rice

Not to forget to wrap your meal with some sweetness too. This can also helps to cool the tongue after all the spicy food. Some of the desserts I tried are Mango Sticky Rice, Tapioca, Red Ruby and Mango Sago.

Tapioca, Red Ruby and Mango Sago

Currently the restaurant is having the following promotion. Free drink for every $15 spent and $5 off for orders above $50. Delivery fees ranged from $5 to $17 depend on the zone. You can refer to their facebook page for the delivery fee charges. To order WhatsApp the restaurant at 9641 8988.

Soi Aroy

Sim Lim Square

1 Rochor Canal Road

#02-08

Singapore 188504

Tel: +65 96418988

Facebook

Nearest MRT: Rochor (DT Line)

Opening Hours:

Mon-Sat: 11am - 8pm

Sun: 11am - 4pm

Direction: 

1) Alight at Rochor MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]

Auntie’s Wok and Steam @ Andaz Singapore - Celebrate Asia Street Food By Top Female Chefs

The start of the year 2020 sees female power taking over Auntie’s Wok and Steam at Andaz Singapore. As part of a culinary series that aims to celebrate the unique taste of Asian street food, a scheduled line-up of top female chefs of different Hyatt hotels in Asia will set up a short-term residency at Auntie’s Wok and Steam, and they shall be whipping up their city’s authentic street food tastes and flavours. Kickstarting this culinary series is Chef Tubtim Warapai, who will be presenting to you Thai cuisine from her hometown of North-east Isan with a specially crafted a la carte menu, lunch and dinner sets, which will be available daily from 3 to 14 February 2020.

Prices for the a la carte menu start at $12 per dish and $26 for the lunch tray sets which include an appetizer, main and dessert. Set dinner menu which we had tried is priced at $68, which showcases Chef Tubtim Warapai's home-cooked local specialties such as Chicken Green Curry (Gaeng keaw wan gai) and Crab Fried Rice (Khao pad poo).

Som Tum 3.5/5

You get to choose any 3 dishes from Appetizer. Som Tum is what most of us are familiar with - the spicy, sweet and sour green papaya salad that we love in our summery weather. What I like about this Som Tum is that the fish sauce is not as assertive like some others, and definitely not as fiery as well.

Grilled Pork Neck 4/5

The next two dishes are the must-order - Kor Moo Yang (Grilled pork neck) and Nam tok Thai Beef Salad. Grilled Pork Neck is blessed with the right amount of lean meat and fats and when grilled perfectly, like ours, they get really tender and flavorful. But what really pushes the experience up a notch is the accompanying spicy Isan dipping sauce that counters the fatty pork neck - nam jim jaew chilli sauce. Like most Thai sauces, it is tart, sweet, spicy, and nutty with tamarind, herbs, sugar and ground peanuts, and ours had such a good balance of flavours that I had the remaining for most of the other dishes too.

Thai Beef Salad 3.8/5

The Thai Beef Salad is essentially beef slices mixed with dried chilli, kaffir lime and mint. Similar to the grilled pork neck, the beef slices had a beautiful texture to it. The condiments did not at all overpower the meat but they combined to serve as a refreshing counterpoint to the beef.

Tom Yum Talay 3/5

You get to select 3 Mains as well. Tom Yum Talay, again, a hot and spicy soup that we have grown to love. Although it lacked the usual shiokness from the sour-spicy kick that I was craving for, the fresh and succulent ingredients somewhat make up for it.

Crab Fried Rice 4/5

Khao Pad Poo (Crab fried rice) was yummy with chewy-tender fried rice and I love the chunks of scrambled organic egg that marbled the rice. Topped with chunks of crab meats, tossing them together gives a satisfying textural bite.

Gaeng Phed Goong 4/5

Gaeng Phed Goong serves up tiger prawns in red curry. The curry can certainly be more robust I feel, but it suits diners who can't take much heat.

Mango Stick Rice 3.8/5

For Dessert, on the menu are Mango Sticky Rice and Tub Tim Grob (Red rubies). Don't expect them to be street-food quantity but the sweetness of them will satisfy that post-meal craving for sure.

Red Ruby 3/5

Written by Si An. A girl who is allured by travelling, loves the feel of freedom, smell of the rain and the aroma of fine coffee and food.


Auntie's Wok & Steam
Andaz Singapore
Level 25
5 Fraser Street
Singapore 189354
Tel: +65 64081255
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Bugis (DT Line, EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 10pm
Weekend & PH Yum Cha Buffet: 12pm - 3pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Bugis MRT station. Take Exit F. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Thanying @ Amara Singapore - Exquisite Royal Thai Cuisine Fit For Royalties

Little did I know that there is a Thai restaurant on level 2 of Amara Singapore. In fact, Thanying has been around since 1988. It has recently reopened again after a refurbishment. The interior is brighter now with a seating capacity for 128 people and 2 brand new private rooms.

Thanying Thai Style Salmon Yusheng with Chicken Curls 4.5/5

In conjunction with the upcoming Lunar New Year, Thanying has also introduced their own Thai Style Salmon Yusheng with Chicken Curls. The yusheng comprises of yam strips, green mango, a mix of fresh vegetables tossed in a special sauce that includes fish sauce, lime juice and chilli padi. It is refreshing with a hint of spiciness, with a lot of textures and flavours. This is one of the better yusheng I have eaten this year.

Miang Khum 4/5

Next, we had the Miang Khum, a light appetiser that is eaten like a wrap. Take a piece of the leaf and then wrapped it with the different condiments such as tasty bits of herbs, peanut, dried shrimp and ginger. Last but not least, add a few dollops of honeyed tamarind sauce and rolled it up. What you get is a firework of flavours with each bite.

Peek Gai Sod Sai 4/5

Whenever I have Peek Gai Sod Sai, I always tell myself it is a brilliant idea to remove the bone and stuffed it with its own minced meat. It is so convenient to eat. In Thanying's version, herbs are added into the minced chicken stuffing, giving it a subtle aroma on top of the crispy skin.

Tom Yam Goong 4.5/5

I like Thai Cuisine, but many places have reduced the spicy level to cater to those that have a low tolerant. A dish that it is a good benchmark is the Tom Yam Goong. At Thanying, the spicy prawn soup is packed with depth, that will probably make you break out in a sweat.

Goong Krabueng 4.2/5

I am not a big fan of Thai prawn cake, but the version at Thanying is very different. The Goong Krabueng is thin and crispy with delectable prawn paste. The deep-fried prawn pancake will be adored by both young and old.

Phad Pak Kanar 4.2/5

After a couple of light starters, we move on to dinner proper starting with the Phad Pak Kanar. A simple stir-fried Thai Kailan with oyster sauce to go along with the other mains. Though simple, the execution is perfect with the greens still retaining its crunch.

Pla Krapong Nuengmanao 4.5/5

One of my favourite Thai dishes is the Pla Krapong Nuengmanao. I find that the Steamed Seabass with Special Lime and Chilli Sauce, not only showcases the core flavours of Thai cuisine, it also complemented the freshness of the moist fish.

Gaeng Panang Nuer

Cooked to tender is the Gaeng Panang Nuer. The thick red curry is not as spicy as it looks. In fact, it is slightly sweet, which is very appetising with a plate of steamed white rice.  I love it so much that I drenched my rice with the savoury curry.

Khao Ohb Nam-Liaeb 4/5

Usually, most diners will order pineapple fried rice at Thai restaurants, but my preference is black olive rice. The Khao Ohb Nam-Liaeb here comes with minced chicken, and cashew nuts served in claypot. With all the mouth drooling food, this completes the meal.

Thai Dessert Set 4.2/5

End the night on a sweet note with the Thai Dessert Set. It comes with three different tiers of bite-size sweet delights. I have a difficult time picking which is my favourite, as they are all so good. Hence my advice is to save some space for this dainty sweetness.

Though I have not known about Thanying until my recent visit, it is never too late to discover another Thai restaurant that serves excellent and exquisite royal Thai cuisine. Besides the delicious dishes I had, this is just only the iceberg of the extensive menu. On top of that, it also has a vegetarian menu with close to 30 dishes.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Amara Singapore
165 Tanjong Pagar Road
Level 2
Singapore 088539
Tel: +65 62224688
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 3pm, 630pm - 11pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk towards Gopeng Street and turn into Tras Street. Walk to Amara Hotel. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Chalerm Thai @ Arcade, The Capitol Kempinski - Comfort Flavours, Traditional Recipes

Chalerm Thai is the latest addition to the array of food concepts at Arcade @ The Capitol Kempinski. Located within Singapore's most iconic cinema, the restaurant is aptly named after the Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theatre in Bangkok, which was built in 1932 to mark the 150th anniversary of the founding of Bangkok. Here at Charlerm Thai, dishes follow traditional recipes, delivering flavours as close as one can find in Thailand.

Grilled Marinated Pork Neck with Spicy Lime Sauce 4/5

As an appetiser, the Kor Moo Yang ($18) will set your mouth watering with its juicy and tender meat grilled to perfection. The sear marks and the slightly burnt fats impart a smoky flavour to the meat, a key to its deliciousness.

Deep-fried Crispy Morning Glory with Chilli Sauce Dip 2.5/5

On the other hand, Yum Pan Boong Krob ($8) was a disappointment. Refinery Cafe has a much better version with a light and fluffy batter that has a slight chewiness to it. The batter here was a tad too salty, and these thin stalks became greasy after a while.

Deep-fried Lemongrass Chicken Wings 4/5

A crowd-pleaser will be Peek Gai Tord Ta Kra. In such an elegant setting, many refrained from eating these with hands. But to savour all the juice and flavours, do tuck in with your fingers!

Thai Seafood Tom Yum Soup 4.2/5

Tom Yum Goong ($15) was my favourite dish of all. Loaded with prawns, fish, clams, mussels and squid, each was fresh and plump, including the mushrooms. Spicy with the right amount of acidity, I will be happy to have one bowl all to myself.

Stir-fried Soft Shell Crab with Yellow Curry 3/5

While I love the meatiness of the soft shell crab in Phu Nim Phad Pong Karee ($20), I feel the saltiness of the batter can be adjusted to allow the flavours of the yellow curry to come through.

Thai Stir-fried Rice Noodles 4/5

Pineapple Fried Rice 2.5/5

For mains, we tried both Phad Thai King ($14) and Khao Phad Sapoarod ($15). For Phad Thai, I like that it wasn't too highly flavoured with sauces and seasonings like some others, and the rice noodles were springy but pliable. As for the fried rice, I prefer the rice to be firmer and drier.

Pumpkin Yam Dumplings in Coconut Milk 4/5

For dessert, this warm and mellow sweet Bua Loy with its cute little chewy dumpling will end every meal in a good note.

Written By Si An. A girl who is allured by travelling, loves the feel of freedom, smell of the rain and the aroma of fine coffee and food.


Chalerm Thai
Arcade @ The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore
13 Stamford Road
Singapore 178906
Tel: +65 67156875
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: City Hall (EW Line, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 10pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at City Hall MRT station. Take Exit A or D. Walk to traffic junction North Bridge Road and Stamford Road. Cross the road. Walk down Stamford Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Blue Jasmine @ Park Hotel Farrer Park - Halal Thai Restaurant With A New Refreshed Menu

Blue Jasmine is a 100-seater halal Thai Restaurant on the 5th floor of Park Hotel Farrer Park. Open for slightly more than a year, the restaurant has refreshed its menu. Besides the traditional dishes that define Thai cuisine, in the refreshed menu, it also offers regional specialities that is lesser known in Thai cuisine.

Tom Yum Sea Bass 'Poh Tek' 3.8/5

We probably have been used to tom yum soup but a lesser known similarity is the Tom Yum Sea Bass 'Poh Tek' ($20). Poh Tek is a type of tom yum that is made with different proportion of spices and ingredients. It supposes to be very spicy which needs to include deep fried chilli and basil. Deep fried sea bass is also added for a totally different experience to the classic tom yum soup. I personally find that it can be spicier.

Cha-Om Fried Egg 4.5/5

The Cha-Om Fried Egg ($12) is my favourite item among the new dishes I tried. An egg mixture of sliced acacia leaves, fish sauce, pepper powder are whisked together and fried and rolled into shape. The fragrant fried egg roll is best eaten with the shrimp paste sauce that tasted like our local chinchalok. The sauce is really spicy but damn shiok, elevating the whole enjoyment.

Yellow River Prawn Curry 3.5/5

Not all curry is spicy. Take for example the Yellow River Prawn Curry ($26) topped with betel leaves and microgreens. In fact it is sweet not spicy. The curry is creamy and coconuty. It is best to go with a plate of steamed rice. The prawn is also fresh and crunchy.

Holy Basil Krapao (Squid) 4/5

I thought Thai only use Thai basil for the basil minced pork or chicken dish, I am definitely enlightened by the dish, Holy Basil Krapao ($24). I enjoyed the layer of aroma from the basil on top of the spiciness from the sambal. Note worth is well cooked long beans that has a nice crunch but not on the raw side.

Roast Chicken Esarn Style 4.2/5

The marination of the Roast Chicken Esarn Style ($16) is so flavourful that I can have it on its own. The accompanying dipping sauce is the fish sauce type. I thought the shrimp paste sauce from the Cha-Om Fried Egg goes better with the roast chicken. 

Thai Fried Kueh Teow (Seafood) 3.8/5

Don't be mistaken, this is not Pad Thai but Thai Fried Kueh Teow with Seafood ($18). It is indeed quite similar to our local char kway teow with a hint of wok hei aroma. The taste is more savoury and less sweet compared to our local version, probably to the use of fish sauce in the frying.

Thai Chendol 4/5

Last but not least, we end on dinner on a sweet note with the Thai Chendol ($12). The chendol has more ingredients than our local version, such as the addition of red and blue rubies, young coconut and jackfruit.

Note: This is an invited tasting. 


Blue Jasmine
Park Hotel Farrer Park
10 Farrer Park Station Road
Level 5
Singapore 217564
Tel: +65 68248851
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Farrer Park (NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 10pm
Fri-Sat: 630pm - 10pm (buffet dinner)

Direction:
1) Alight at Farrer Park MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]